Continuous compartiment kiln and method of operating the same



Aug. 10 1926.

. A. V. BLEININGER CONTINUOUS COMPARTMENT KILN AND METHOD 0F OPERATING THE SAME Filed sept.

10. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 vN NM. QWN.

Aug. 1o 1926. 1,595,817

A. V. BLEININGER CONTINUOUS OMPARTMENT KILN AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAM Filed Sept. 10, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 10 1926.

A. V. BLEININGER CONTINUOUS COMPARTMENT KILN AND METHOD 0F- OPERATING THE SAME Filed Sept. 10, 1923 T5 Sheets-Sheet 5 mum.

WN WN QN Patente-d Aug. l0, 1923.

Uni-'ren erases PATENT QFFMIE.

ALBERT V. BLEININGER, OF'NETNELL, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR T0 TEE` LAUGI-ILIN CHINA CMPANY, OF NEWELEWEST VIRGINIA., A C@RPOItA'IIONl OF WEST VIRGINIA.

CONTINUOUS'GOMPABTMENT KILIM' AND METHOD CVE OEERATING THE SAME.

Application led September 10, 1923. Serial No. 661,729.

The present invention relates broadly to kilns, and more particularly to a continuous compartment kiln for the firing of ceramic products, and to a method of operating the same.

There are 'in use at the present time two distinct types ot continuous kiln 'for the tiring of ceramic products. In one type the ware is placed in a continuous tunnel or in a .series of contiguous connected chambers with permanent bottoms. Fir-es are maintained within these spaces, and are made to progress either along the continuous tunnel or romchamber tol chamber. As soon as a section of the tunnel or a chamber has reached the desired temperature, the lires are stopped in this part ot the kiln but are caused to be ignited in the next adjacent tunnel section or chamber which has been )reheated byl the heat ot the waste gases irom the section or chamber just tired ott'.

There are certain dilticulties which are met with in this type otV continuous kiln. For example, 'the cooling, owing `to the large mass of masonry often takes place too slowly, particularly when the vtemperature 'falls below 500 degrees Fahrenheit. In hot weather this delays the operation ot the kiln, and with many kinds of ware, such as pottery, the rate of coolingis too slow for the best results. Moreover, the large heat retention ot the masonry either causes the operation oit placing or setting the ware to take place at uncomfortable temperatures, or causes unnecessary loss ot heat it the kilnis allowed to cool down to a point at which the ni'ovrking ten'iperature 'is comtorb able 'for the workmen. In the latter case, it is apparent that the whole operation is slowed down, andthe capacity o'l' the kiln thereby considerably reduced.

In the other type ot kiln, the ware to be Atired is placed on movable cars which are propelled slowly through a long tunnel in a train. Furnaces near the cent-er ot the tunnel maintain the heat at practically a constant temperature. As the cars enter the tunnel they are heated by a counter current oit the waste gases coming` from the furnaces. Aft-er they have passed the het Zone in t'ront of the furnaces, the ware they are carrying iscooled by the air coming from the dis-` q. ,i 1

. f 'l l crd wh ca 1n part is utilizan un p ting ie cui tremare; ,-s,

In distinction from the first type of continuous kiln, the setting or" the ware `on the cars takes place in the open and without subjecting the, workmen to oppressive temperature conditions. Furthermore, the cars of cooling ware may be removed from the kiln at the temperature at which cooling proceeds most slowly in the `first type or" continuous kiln and brought down tol atmos; plieric temperature comparatively quickly. Also, while in the first type ot kiln the placing and discharging ot the ware proceeds along the entire length of the kilnand the crew is compelled to transport the ware to the differentlsections or rchambers which are to be illed, in the tunnel car kiln the setting operations are centralized, and they take place within a givenispace. This arrangement makes it possible to make use ot perL manent conveyors which transport the tired ware tothe proper department'o't the factory.

The car tunnel kiln is, however, subject to two conditions which are unsatisfactory. In the continuous kiln having a moving hre zone, the ware is stationary and may be iired toexactly the desired maturing temperature, whereas such positive control is not possible in the cartunnel kiln, `since the cars are in constant motion, and'since the heat effect is a function ot both the heat of. the' high lire Zone through which the cars pass and the rate of travel ot' the cars. Any variation in the temperature cannot be so quickly regulated butthat part oit or a whole car or several cars may pass along` without having received proper heat treatment.

The other and still more important peint of objection to the tunnelcar kiln isthe constant danger of' wreckage. It at any time part of the setting collapses and causes an obstruction, itis possible that a number ot cars, or even the whole train, may become jammed. Such a condition makes necessary the shutting down ot the kiln. which involves a heavy financial loss. This danger is ever present, andthe most enacting precautions must be taken toplace the charge securely and conform it strictly to the outlines of the tunnel.. Any carelessness on the part of the workmen or accidentalcollapse pf saggers, tiles orlof the wareitself will .albly lead to .i

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a kiln and method of operating the same embodying the advantageous features of both types of kiln above referred to Without their attendant objectionable features.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown, for purposes of illustration only, one embodiment of the present invention, it bciiig understood that the drawings do u it define the limits of the invention, as changes may be made in the construction and eperation therein disclosed Without departing from the spirit of the invention cr scope of my broader claims.

ln the drawings:

Figure l is a longitudinal verticalseciional view of the left-hand half of a coidiuueus compartment kiln embodying my invention,

Figure l is a vieiv corresponding to Figure l of the right-hand half of the kiln,

Figure 2 is a front elevation of a portion of the kiln illustrating the construct-imi and operation of the doors for the several conipai'tmeiits thereof,

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line IH HI of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the kiln.

A kiln constructed in accordance with my invention may comprise any suitable number of compartments. In Figures l and l I have shown a kiln having twelve compartments. rlliese compartments are similar to the chambers of the continuous kiln with traveling` lire and fixed Ware charge,

lnstead of having bottoms which are fixed and an integral part of the kiln. however, these compartments are provided with bottoms in the form of movable platforms adapted to be set with Ware outside of the kiln at some convenient centralized point, and then moved into position inthe Vvarious compartments of the kiln.

rlhe construction of the movable platforms is illustrated most clearly in Figure 4. Each platform may consist of a cast iron or steel frame 13 covered with a layer of insulating material lll. Gn top of the insulating material is a relatively thick layer 15 of refractory material, suoli as fire clay, and on this layer are placed the setting blocks 1G iroperly spaced to provide channels for the passage of the hot gases beneath and bctiveen the stacks of Ware 17 placed in spaced relation upon said blocks. For moving these platforn'is, it-is apparent that each'of them might be provided with its oivn running gear, but l have illustrated a more economical method of moving them. For this purpose`v a suitable lift truck 18 is provided operating on rails 19'. As already pointed out, theplatforms ivill be set With ware outside of the kiln at some convenient centralized point. llhcn loaded With Ware, a platform will be run into its particular compartment of the kiln by means of the lift truck and lowered into position so that it is supported by ledges 2O at opposite sides of the coinpartinent, the usual sand seal 2l being provided. After the platform has been lowered into position, the same lift truck may be used to move another platform. it will therefore be apparent that all of the platforms may be operated by means of a coinparatively small number of lift trucks, which is much more economical than providing each platform With a running gea A door is provided at at least one end of each compartment of the kiln, these doors being sufiiciently large to permit of the passage of the loaded platforms and the trucks into and out of the compartments. lll here the compartments are arranged in two rows, but one door to each compartmentA is rcquired, but Where the compartments are arranged in a single roiv, tivo doors may be found desirable for each compartment, one at each end thereof. rlhe construction and operation of the doors is illustrated in Figures 2 and Each door is preferably com structed of fire brick 22, encased in a cast iron or steel frame 23, and guided for vertical movement by steel channel guidesv Each door may be counterbalaiiced by means of counteriveights 25 connecten to the ldoor by cables 26 ruiming over pulleys 2? at the upper ends of the channel guides.

Having described the construction of thi kiln, I Will noiv proceed to first describe the operation of a single compartment, and th n the general operation of the entire kiln. Again referring to Figure Ll, the heated air from a preceding compartment flows thi-erigir the opening` 28 in the partition wall betvcen adjacent compartments into the combustion chamber 29, Where itineets the producer gas issuing from the flues 30. Combustion as complete as may be desired takes place in the chamber 29, and the hot e ceinbustion pass over into the compartment l ice 3l, and thence through the channels between the setting' blocks i6 and through the spaces between the stacks l? resting on setting blocks, and exit through the orenii $311, lcading to the combustion chamber of the next adjacent compartment, and then l. as inte the compartment space 3l ol such compartment.

. rf-ope r been renuivcfl 'an cooling., and

lleated ai 3 t-li i" compartments to :3, inclusive, meets the producer issnin'r f hot products of combustion serve to fire the ware in compartment 6, and these products of combustion pass through compartments 7, t, S), l() and ll, prcheatingv the material in these compartments. The Waste gases, havingr` given up their heat, then pass out through a vertical flue into a 'flue 3G leading` to a collecting` flue (not shown) outside the kiln. Such collecting flue may communi- 10 cate either directly with a stack or with a fan chamber from which the gases are exhausted. The several vertical fiues are provided with dempers 37 whereby the Waste gases may be conducted out through any desired flue 5G by opening;v the damper of that particular flue. After the Ware in compartment G has been properly fired, the lire in the foinbustion chamber of that particular compartment may le stopped, and the iire ignited in t-he con'ibustion chamber of compartment T, and so on. lt will he noted that compartment l2 has been indicated as ready for placing'. As soon as a loaded conipartment, the damper 3"? in the flue Ibetween compartments 'll and l2 may closed, and the damper in the end flue 3 opened, thereby causingthe products of combustion to pass into compartment l2 and preheat the Ware in that compartment. llvhen compartment l2 :is being fired its Waste gases are drawnby means of fan d 'aft through compartment l and others adjoining' the latter. l/Vhen the cooling of the Ware in any particular compartment has progressed sutllciently far, the lift truck 18 may be run into position beneath the plat- Yform in that compartment, and said platform raised enough for clearance, and then renioved outside the kiln for complete cooling, unloading and resettine. rlhese operations may hence be performed. out-side of the h uited kiln without discomfort to the Workmen at centralized unloading` and` loading); sist-ations. A freshly loaded platform may then be placed in position in the compartment just dis iharged, and `in which the temperature is still high enough to pern'iit the charite to absorb considerable heat from the iiln wa le. Thelatter need never beicooled lo the point requirer in the old type of vom )ailmentkiln, thuseffecting an appreciable caving; of heat, and permitting of prelief-ating;Y of the Ware iu` an atmosphere of pure air, a fact of considerable importance in certain classes of products. By means of suitable mechanical devices, it is possible to manipulate the lift truck so that the operator need not enter the kiln compartment, and hence will not be uncomfortably exposed to the heat of such compartment.

From the foregoing, the advantages arising); 'troni my invention will beapparent to those skilled in the ar*.v They may bebriefly summarized as follows: The movable kiln 8 be V3 fill platform has been placed in position in this' fioor platforms permit of the rapid setting of the Ware to be fired at one point most'con-v Workmen still prevail. "fn this manner, heat otherwise Wasted is utilized, and the turnover of the kiln decidedly increased. The

discharging; of the fired Ware from a coinpartnient may take place While such coinpartment is still too hot for the Workmen, and such compartment may be emptied rapidly and made ready to receive a. fresh charge. The unloridingof the Ware can take place at a central unloadingstation,I which increases plant economy. The vvork of unloading` the platfcuuns takes place under favorable conditions, and hence can be carried on with maximum expedition. rfhe platforms With their loads of g en or 'tired Ware are moved only at comparatively low temperatures, and remain in a fixed position during the process of liringr. rllhey are hence not subject to vibration as in the car tunnel kiln, and the danger ot' wreckage is completely eliminated. rlhe total turnover and capacity of continuous compartment kiln With removable floor platforms constructed in accordance with my invention is decidedly greater than is the case with the old type compartment` kiln, and the. rapidity of the firing` process may be greatly increased as conditions demand.

I claim:

l. In the method of operating` a continuous compartment kiln having a plurality of compartments arranged side by side, each compartment Whereofis provided with a removable platforni for sumaortine)` the War-e and with means for tiring` such compartment, the steps consisting in loading` a plurality of such platforms exteriorly of the kiln, moving' the loaned platforms into position in said kiln, firingc,` one of the compartments having a loaded platform in position therein, passing;` the hot products of combustion therefrom into an adjacent con/1- partment having a loaded platform therein to thereby preheat the Ware in said compartment, stopping the lire in the irstcompartment and permitting it to cool to a predetermined point, removing the platform with its fired Ware therefrom, firing the adjacent compartment, and moving; a freshing loaded platform into the first compartment in the method kof operating a corn tinuous compartment kiln having a plurality Eil? of compartments arranged side by side, each compartment ivhereot is provided Wi th a removable platform 'for supporting the .vare and with means tor firing such compartment, the steps consisting in loading a plurality o'l` such platforms exteriorly ot the kiln, moving the lead d platforms into position in saidkiln, tiring one. ot the conipartments having a loaded platform in position therein, passing` the hot products of combustion therefrom into a plurality ol adjacent compartments each having a loa led platform therein to thereby preheat the "are in said compartments, stopping` the tire in the first compartment and I ermitting it to cool to a predetermined point, removing the plattorm with its tired vf; e thererroin, tun the ncl-1t adjacent compartment and placing, 'tr loaded plattorm in position in saliv compartment While the la Vter still h n the n'i-ethod oti ojfierering a tinuous compartment kiln having a plura ol compartments arranged side bj' compartment whereof is pro fided with a ix movable platform for supporting the vra and W'th means for tiring such compartniei t-he steps consisting in loading a plurality otl such platforms exteriorly ot the kim, moving` the loaded plattorms into position ii said kiln, tiring one ot the compartmei having a loaded platform in position there in, passing the hot products o1 combustion theretrom into an adjacent compartment ha fing a loaded plat-term therein to thereby preheat the Ware in said compartment, stopping the lire in the lirst compartment and permitting air to i'low therethrough to cool the Ware in said compartment, firing the adjacent compartment and passing the hea ed air trom the lirst compartment into said adjacent compartment as a combustion supporting element.

el. lirthe method ot operating a continuous compartmentkiln, cach compartment ivhereoiu is provided with a removable platform for supporting the ware, the ste-ps consisting in loading a plurality ot such platforms exteriorly ot the kiln, movi ug the loaded platforms into position in said kiln, tiring one oit the compartments having a load-ed platform in position therein, passingthe het products or" combustion there- `from into a pluralityv ol" other connaartments each having a loaded platform therein to therebjV preheat the vfare in said compartments, stopping the lire in the first compartment, alter the ware in said compartment has been suliiciently tired, and igniting it in the next compartment, and repeatino,` the. last mentioned step for each oi said con p a rtments.

5. ln the method ot operating a continuous coi ipartment kiln, each compartment whereof is provided with removable platform :tor supporting the i.' *he steps 1 n i n Slitta., ed

consisting in loading a plurality of such platforms oxteriorlj,7 ot the kiln, moving the loaded platforms into position in said kiln, burning a mixturey ot air and gaseous tuel in one ot the compartments having` a loaded platform therein, passing the hot products oi combustion trom said compartment into another compartment having a` loaded plat- Yform therein to therebjv preheat the ware in said compartment, stopping the comlnistion in the first compartment and permitting air to lloiv therethrough to cool the same, and passing the heated air from said lirst ceinpartment into the second ctnnpartment and burning s mixture ot said and a i second compartment. i

riln, jluralitj,7 ot cor" ach having a remova fruous s. may be moved into and tion b v .said platter-m out oil said compartments, and a comhu chamber in each oi" said comparta ents c municating iviih the interior thereof, e, et said comlaistion chamhers communicating with the interior ot an adjacent compartment WherehjfY the hot products ot combustion niv-v be passed from one compartinert into an adjacent compartment and whereby air flowing through one compartcan be supplied to the comlnistion cnaniher ot the neXt adjacent compartment as a combustion supporting element, substantially as described.

i'. ln a kiln, pluralityv ot contiguous compzirtments each having a removalileplatform tor supporting the Ware, means whereby said platforms may be moved into and out ot said con'ipartn'ients, a combustion chamber in each ot' said compartments communicating With the interior thereof, and means for supplying seous 'fuel separatel vv to each ot said con'ibustion chambers, each of said combustion cl ambers communicating` with the interior ot' an adjacent compartment whereby the hot products ot couibustion maj7 be passed from one compa; ment into an adjacent con'ipartm-ent and wherebj7 air flowing through one co'fnpartment can be supplied to the combustion chamber oitI the next adjacent conipartment as a combustion supnorting element, substantiallj7 as described.

8. ln a kiln, a pluralityv or contiguous iutercommunicating compartments each having a removable platform tor supporting.: the ware, means whereby said platforms may be moved into and out el' said compartments, means tor supplying` gaseous Yfuel separatelj7 to eacn ot said compartnients, and moans a sociated with cach ot said compartments 'tor exhausting the products olf combustion directly therefrom, substantially as described.

9. ln kiln, a plurality oi compartments each having a removable bottom ',t/.ir supporting th-e ware, ledges in the side walls of each compartment for supporting its bottom, and means whereby said platforms may be moved into and out of said compartments, said means being separable from said platforms and adapted to raise said platforms olf of and to lower them on to said ledges, substantially as described.

l0. In a kiln, a plurality of compartments each having a removable platform for supporting the ware, each of said compartments having a combustion chamber at one side thereof communicating with the interior of said compartment and also with the interior of the adjacent compartment and having at the other side thereof a damper-controlled flue for the offtake of the products of combustion from such compartment, substair tially as described.

ll. In a kiln, a plurality of compartments .each having a removable platform for supporting the ware, each of said compartments having a combustion chamber at one side thereof communicating with the interior of said compartment and also with the interior of the adjacent compartment and having at the other side thereof a damper-controlled flue for the ofltake of the products of combustion from such compartment, and means associated with each of said combustion. chambers for supplying fuel thereto, substantially as described.

l2. In a kiln, a plurality of compartments each having a removable platform for supporting the ware, cach of said compartments having a combustion chamber at one side thereof communicating` with the interior of said compartinent and also with the interior of the adjacent compartment and havingl at the other side thereof a damper-controlled flue for the o'lftake of the productions of combustion from such compartment, and a flue associated with leach of said combustion chambers for supplying gaseous fuel thereto, substantially as described.

13. In the method of operating a continuous compartment kiln having a plurality of compartments arranged side by side, each compartment whereof is provided with a removable platform for supporting the ware and with means for firing such compartment, the steps consisting in loading the removable platform of each compartment exteriorly of the kiln and then placing the platform .in its compartment, firing the'compartments one after the other and passing the hot products of combustion from eacn con/ipartment during its firing through one or more of the other compartments, the hot products of combustion from the last compartment of the seriesbeing passed through the first compartment of the series, permitting each compartment after the'fire therein has been stopped to cool to a predetermined point and then removing the platform with its fired ware therefrom and placing a loaded platform in position therein while such compartment is still hot.

14. In a kiln, a plurality of intercommunieating compartments arranged side side in a row and each having a removable platform for supporting` the ware which is adapted to form a bottom closure for such compartment, means whereby said platforms may be moved into and out of said compartments, and means whereby each compartment may be red separately and the hot products of combustion passed therefrom through one or more of the other compartments.

y l5. In a kiln, a plurality of intercommunieating compartments arranged side by side in a row and each having a removable plat* form for supporting the ware which is adapted to form av sealed bottom closure for such compartment, means whereby said platforms may be moved into and out of said compartments, and means whereby each compartment may be fir-ed separately and the 'hot products of combustion passed therefrom through one or more of the other compartments.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ALBERT V. BLEININGER. 

